Ninety artists have been added to the line-up for the Amnesty International and Sofar Sounds global refugee solidarity concert series next month.
Laura Mvula, Tom Odell, Imelda May, Marika Hackman, Nick Mulvey and Hozier are among the latest additions to Give a Home for Human Rights, a line-up of gigs staged in people’s homes around the world on September 20.
Give a Home for Human Rights will feature 1,000 musicians playing 300 shows in more than 200 cities worldwide. Artists already confirmed include Ed Sheeran, who will perform in Washington DC alongside Jean-Jean Bashengezi, a guitarist, singer and refugee who now lives in the US capital.
The series is a collaboration between Amnesty and London-based Sofar Sounds, who stage secret concerts in people’s homes all over the world.
Hozier, who will be playing an intimate gig in his hometown, Dublin, commented: "There's something wonderful about sharing a live music experience in the warmth and closeness of someone's home, which was my experience with Sofar. I'm thrilled to be taking part in the Give A Home gigs, a global act of welcome which embodies the hospitable spirit of Sofar with the important work of Amnesty International."
The concerts will bring together musicians, refugee artists and activists with refugees and local communities.
Kate Allen, director of Amnesty UK, said: “We are delighted that so many fantastic musicians are signing up to Give A Home and that so many people around the country are opening their doors to host these gigs in solidarity with refugees.
“Governments have displayed a shocking failure of leadership over the refugee crisis, but ordinary people in communities across the world have been going out of their way to welcome refugees. Everyone performing, hosting or attending one of these gigs will be part of this movement for a better response to the crisis, in the UK and around the globe.”
Fans have until September 10 to apply for tickets through sofarsounds.com/giveahome. When applying for tickets, they will have the option of making a donation, which will support Amnesty’s work to protect human rights around the world.
By Zoë MacLellan
